Written Answers Wednesday 3 February 2010

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether crofters collaborating on a grazings committee that applies for Rural Priorities would receive a higher score as a result of that collaboration should (a) a single application by the committee be made or (b) each crofter apply outlining plans to collaborate on such a committee.

Richard Lochhead: The score achieved by any Rural Priorities proposal depends on it meeting a number of criteria.

  In order to achieve a high score for collaboration currently, there needs to be separate applications working together to meet the desired outcomes. However, the scoring criteria under Rural Priorities, including those for the collaboration element, are being reviewed. This review will look at how we should treat applications with unusual circumstances, such as those from a grazings committee.

Alcohol

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that health warnings about the dangers of mixing alcohol and caffeine are starting to appear in countries such as Canada, France, the Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Australia, (a) what impact such warnings would have in Scotland and (b) whether it plans to introduce such warnings.

Shona Robison: Any warnings relating to the mixing of alcohol and caffeine would have to be based on evidence of harm. As the current evidence is inconclusive on the effects of mixing caffeine and alcohol it is not possible to assess the potential impact of such warnings.

  We note the recent call for evidence from manufacturers on the safety of caffeinated alcoholic beverages by US Food and Drug Agency. We will review their findings should they be published and consider whether further research is necessary.

Alcohol

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol will have on the (a) cost and (b) levels of consumption of Buckfast tonic wine.

Shona Robison: Minimum pricing is likely to predominately affect the low-cost, high-strength drinks, such as white cider, super strength lager and cheap vodka, that are favoured by harmful and hazardous drinkers. Fortified wines, including Buckfast, represent less than 2.4% of the total volume of alcohol sold in Scotland. Buckfast can cost around £7.50 for a 75cl bottle (15% ABV), which equates to 66p per unit.

  Although no decision has been taken on a specific minimum price, it is unlikely that minimum pricing, on its own, will affect those drinks which are already expensive in comparison to their alcohol content. Any action to ban or restrict a specific product or products is likely to raise significant legal problems.

Crofting

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the UK Government to ensure that UK legislation does not have the effect of running counter to the aims of the Scottish Government in relation to the issue of croft and croft house tenancy valuation.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government aims to ensure that croft and croft house tenancies are held by persons who actively croft. The Scottish Government will make such representations as may be necessary in respect of UK Government proposals which appear to conflict with that aim. The valuation of a croft or croft house tenancy is not a matter for the Scottish Government.

Dentistry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which schools in each NHS board area have a school-based dental service.

Shona Robison: Childsmile Nursery and Childsmile School aim to work with 20% of educational establishments targeted in order of those with the highest proportion of children living in the most deprived local quintile, as defined by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. This is achieved by selecting schools with the highest number of pupils with a postcode in the most deprived SIMD quintile.

  The information requested is given in table The Schools in Health Board Areas that have a School-based Dental Service, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50127).

Dentistry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of deprived areas have school-based dental services.

Shona Robison: The aim of the Childsmile programme is to provide a Childsmile school service in the most disadvantaged Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile in each NHS board. This is achieved by selecting the schools with the highest number of pupils with a postcode in the most deprived SIMD quintile. The aim is to cover approximately 20% of the children in a board area.

  The Childsmile School programme commenced in the East of Scotland, plus Ayrshire and Arran and recently expanded to include boards in the North of Scotland. Further expansion will take place in Grampian and Highland in the next financial year. Boards in the West of Scotland are now commencing the school programme with further expansion in the next financial year.

  The following table shows for each board area in which Childsmile School has commenced, the total number of primary schools and the number and percentage of schools participating in Childsmile School.

  

 NHS Board
Total Primary Schools
Childsmile School
 %


 Grampian
 262
 7
 3


 Tayside
 184
 44
 24


 Forth Valley
 113
 15
 13


 Ayrshire and Arran
 145
 31
 21


 Borders
 66
 13
 20


 Lothian
 239
 51
 21


 Shetland
 33
 23
 70


 Fife
 147
 34
 23


 Highland
 273
 20
 7

Drug Misuse

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 367 serious organised crime groups identified by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency are based in (a) Edinburgh and (b) the Lothians region.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Serious Organised Crime Group Mapping Project was established in April 2008. Led by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency in partnership with the Scottish Government all Scottish police forces, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, HMRC, and other agencies the project aimed to contribute to a safer and stronger Scotland by identifying the scale and impact of serious organised crime on Scotland, with a view to taking more effective action against this threat.

  Detailed information from the mapping project is not held centrally but a summary of the results are available on the SCDEA website:

  http://www.scdea.police.uk/Other-publications/Mapping%20Summary%20Report.pdf?sksearchtext=mapping.

  Serious Organised Crime Groups are not restricted by borders and many groups operate across all eight police forces in Scotland.

Education

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools have a dedicated librarian, broken down by local authority area.

Michael Russell: The following table sets out the number of primary, secondary and special schools that had a dedicated librarian as collected in the 2009 teacher census. This therefore represents the position as of September 2009. Librarians in through-schools are counted in both primary and secondary sector.

  Number of Schools

  

 
 Primary
 Secondary
 Special


 Aberdeen City
 -
 12
 -


 Aberdeenshire
 -
 16
 -


 Angus
 -
 8
 -


 Argyll and Bute
 3
 10
 -


 Clackmannanshire
 -
 3
 -


 Dumfries and Galloway
 1
 15
 -


 Dundee City
 -
 9
 -


 East Ayrshire
 -
 8
 -


 East Dunbartonshire
 -
 8
 -


 East Lothian
 -
 6
 -


 East Renfrewshire
 -
 5
 -


 Edinburgh City
 -
 23
 -


 Eilean Siar
 1
 2
 -


 Falkirk
 -
 7
 1


 Fife
 -
 18
 -


 Glasgow City
 -
 27
 -


 Highland
 1
 19
 -


 Inverclyde
 -
 7
 -


 Midlothian
 -
 5
 -


 Moray
 1
 8
 -


 North Ayrshire
 -
 9
 -


 North Lanarkshire
 -
 22
 -


 Orkney Islands
 -
 2
 -


 Perth and Kinross
 4
 10
 1


 Renfrewshire
 -
 10
 -


 Scottish Borders
 -
 9
 -


 Shetland Islands
 5
 6
 -


 South Ayrshire
 -
 7
 -


 South Lanarkshire
 -
 8
 -


 Stirling
 -
 5
 -


 West Dunbartonshire
 -
 5
 -


 West Lothian
 -
 11
 -


 All local authorities
 16
 320
 2

Education

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of schools have a dedicated librarian, broken down by local authority area.

Michael Russell: The following table sets out the percentage of primary, secondary and special schools that had a dedicated librarian as collected in the 2009 teacher census. This therefore represents the position as of September 2009. Librarians in through-schools are counted in both primary and secondary sector.

  Percentage of Schools with Dedicated Librarian

  

 
 Primary
 Secondary
 Special
 Total


 Aberdeen City
 -
 100
 -
 17


 Aberdeenshire
 -
 94
 -
 9


 Angus
 -
 100
 -
 13


 Argyll and Bute
 4
 100
 -
 13


 Clackmannanshire
 -
 100
 -
 12


 Dumfries and Galloway
 1
 94
 -
 13


 Dundee City
 -
 90
 -
 19


 East Ayrshire
 -
 89
 -
 13


 East Dunbartonshire
 -
 100
 -
 16


 East Lothian
 -
 100
 -
 14


 East Renfrewshire
 -
 71
 -
 16


 Edinburgh City
 -
 100
 -
 18


 Eilean Siar
 3
 20
 -
 7


 Falkirk
 -
 88
 20
 13


 Fife
 -
 95
 -
 10


 Glasgow City
 -
 90
 -
 11


 Highland
 1
 63
 -
 9


 Inverclyde
 -
 100
 -
 20


 Midlothian
 -
 83
 -
 13


 Moray
 2
 100
 -
 17


 North Ayrshire
 -
 100
 -
 13


 North Lanarkshire
 -
 92
 -
 14


 Orkney Islands
 -
 33
 -
 7


 Perth and Kinross
 5
 100
 100
 17


 Renfrewshire
 -
 91
 -
 16


 Scottish Borders
 -
 100
 -
 12


 Shetland Islands
 16
 67
 -
 27


 South Ayrshire
 -
 88
 -
 13


 South Lanarkshire
 -
 47
 -
 5


 Stirling
 -
 71
 -
 10


 West Dunbartonshire
 -
 100
 -
 12


 West Lothian
 -
 100
 -
 13


 All local authorities
 1
 86
 1
 13

Education

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release of 20 January 2010, Russell sets out assessment system, how much funding will be made available to help schools implement the Curriculum for Excellence in the Lothians region, broken down by local authority.

Michael Russell: Resources will be transferred to local authorities to help support the additional local activity associated with introducing and operating the quality assurance and moderation scheme for assessment for curriculum for excellence.

  The Scottish Government is currently in discussion with local government to quantify the additional activity required to support moderation for the new assessment arrangements and to agree the resources needed to ensure that teachers have the time required to undertake that activity. Local authorities will continue to prioritise CPD towards development and implementation of Curriculum for Excellence including assessment and moderation.

  Local government is fully committed to delivery of Curriculum for Excellence. Its representatives on the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board support the approach to moderation set out in the Framework for Assessment.

Elections

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to institute a period of purdah during the forthcoming UK general election.

Bruce Crawford: The arrangements that are put in place will be the same as for previous general elections. Guidance on the conduct of Scottish Government civil servants during UK General Election periods is based on the principle that the Scottish Ministers will continue to carry out their devolved functions as usual. The Scottish Government will remain in office whatever the outcome, and the normal business of the Scottish Government and the Parliament should continue during the election period with as little disruption as possible.

Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30567 by Jim Mather on 20 January 2010, whether it had concerns regarding Scottish Development International’s (SDI) trade mission to Israel and what guidance was given to SDI prior to the visit.

Jim Mather: As there are no restrictions in place as regards trading with Israel, the Scottish Government had no concerns regarding the trade mission and considered that no specific guidance was necessary in this instance.

Finance

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has made available in 2009-10 to achieve parity with the non-domestic poundage rate in England and Wales.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the funding it has made available in 2009-10 to achieve parity with the non-domestic poundage rate in England and Wales compares with figures for (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.

John Swinney: The total funding provided by the Scottish Government to local government in Scotland in 2009-10 for non domestic rates is £2.165 billion. The poundage rate in Scotland has been maintained equal to that for England since 2007-08. It is below that set for Wales. Settlements in each year since 2007-08, including 2009-10, have allowed for this.

  This government’s policy of maintaining parity with the English poundage has not been at the expense of our local government partners, who under this administration have seen their share of the Scottish budget, which had been in steady decline under the previous administration, increase year on year over the current spending review period. We estimate that the approach we have taken in setting the 2010-11 poundage rate for Scotland equal to that in England, following the 2010 revaluation, will deliver a benefit to Scottish businesses worth around £220 million in that year.

First Minister

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the allocation of ministerial responsibilities is within the First Minister’s portfolio following the recent ministerial changes.

Bruce Crawford: The First Minister announced on 1 December 2009 that Fiona Hyslop had replaced Michael Russell as Minister for Culture and External Affairs in attendance at the Cabinet and that the First Minister had assumed overall responsibility for the constitution and the forthcoming Referendum Bill.

  The First Minister leads on constitutional issues, supported by Ms Hyslop in relation to promoting Scotland’s interests in inter-governmental relations with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations and supported by myself in relation to the Referendum Bill and preparations for a subsequent referendum, including continuing work in relation to the National Conversation.

  Ms Hyslop leads on culture and external affairs, including maximising the capacity for growth of Scotland’s creative industries and tourism sectors; maximising access to high-quality cultural events and opportunities for the people of Scotland, managing Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive global identity at home and abroad, and bringing a sharp and sustainable economic growth focus to the promotion of Scotland abroad In addition, her role in support of the First Minister includes pressing for improvements to the operation of the Joint Ministerial Committee, and in the conduct of inter-governmental business more generally, seeking better consultation and proper recognition of devolved interests. It also includes attending the British-Irish Council, a valuable forum for securing co-operation in policy across its eight members.

  I continue to lead on the government’s legislative programme (primary and secondary), including discussions with the UK Government on legislative proposals in relation to Scotland Act orders and legislative consent motions. I also lead on Freedom of Information and local government elections.

Flooding

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to improve the understanding and awareness of flood risk in communities across Scotland.

Roseanna Cunningham: For the last flood risk years, the Scottish Government has provided SEPA with £100,000 per year to support their annual campaign to raise public awareness of flood risk in Scotland.

  The campaign is carried out in partnership with local authorities and other delivery partners (including fire and rescue services), and involves a series of events throughout the year, including having an information trailer in attendance at events, ongoing advertising in community newspapers, cinemas, buses and at sports grounds in flood risk areas across Scotland. In recent years, it has also included touring plays about flooding - targeted at schools and adults in flood risk areas - and public information events in flood risk communities supported by local newspaper advertising and poster campaigns. SEPA is also planning a series of events this spring with accompanying media activity and community engagement to coincide with the opening of the new North East Flood Warning Scheme serving communities at risk from the rivers North Esk, Dee, Don and Deveron.

  We are also funding the £8.6 million development of SEPA’s new Floodline Warnings Direct service. This includes a significant, targeted campaign of awareness-raising prior to the launch of the new service in spring 2011, using community engagement, direct mail and media activity, aimed at people living in flood warning scheme areas.

  In addition, during the recent extreme weather conditions, a SEPA spokesperson and the Floodline number was included in the Scottish Government’s "Life Matters" platform which broadcasts across the Bauer local radio network (Forth 1, Forth 2, Clyde 1, Clyde 2, Tay AM, Tay FM, Northsound 1, Northsound 2, Moray Firth Radio, West Sound (West Sound, West FM and South West Sound) and Radio Borders) reaching 40% of all Scottish adults per week. An audio clip by a SEPA spokesman was sent to community and local radio stations across Scotland. The Floodline number was also included within local newspaper adverts across 87 titles, reaching 65% of Scottish adults. SEPA web links were placed on the Scottish Government’s website www.scotland.gov.uk/weatherwise which was the main port of call for all communication materials for the public information campaign during the recent severe weather.

  The Scottish Government has also provided funding to support the Scottish Flood Forum; a community-based organisation established to support and represent those who are affected by or are at risk of flooding. The forum also works with SEPA to ensure that its work links closely to SEPA’s flood risk awareness raising activities.

  SEPA’s Indicative flood risk maps, showing areas at risk from fluvial and coastal flooding are accessible on SEPA’s website http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding.aspx. We will be funding SEPA to produce a national flood risk assessment from all causes of flooding and improved mapping, under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, by December 2011 and December 2013 respectively. Both SEPA’s and our websites contain further information to improve understanding and awareness of flood risk in Scotland.

Flooding

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that the planning system prevents inappropriate development in flood risk areas.

Roseanna Cunningham: The overarching aim of Scottish Planning Policy for flooding is that inappropriate development which would have a significant probability of being affected by flooding or would increase the probability of flooding elsewhere should not be permitted. Where development is likely to be at risk of flooding a planning authority must consult SEPA and if a planning authority wishes to approve development contrary to SEPA’s views they are required to notify it to the Scottish Ministers who may or may not call it in for their own decision.

Flooding

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that new developments in medium to high-risk areas are flood resistant.

Roseanna Cunningham: The planning and building standards systems both play important roles in helping to safeguard developments from the consequences of flooding. Scottish Planning Policy requires that if development has to take place in medium to high flood risk areas, for example in an already built up area on the flood plain, developers and planning authorities should take account of the extent to which the development, its materials and construction are designed to be water resistant. The documents that support the Building Regulations and Planning Advice Note 69 provide guidance on suitable materials and water resistant construction methods.

Flooding

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to provide information about how to obtain flood insurance and promote access to such insurance for low-income households.

Alex Neil: Insurance against the impact of flooding has been a standard feature of household insurance policies since the early 1960s. Financial services, including insurance, is a reserved matter, with the policy lead lying with HM Treasury. However, in December 2008, the Scottish Government agreed with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) a statement of principles to ensure that the risk from flooding is managed effectively and that flood insurance remains as affordable and widely available as possible so that Scottish consumers continue to be able to protect themselves from the financial cost of flooding. To achieve this, we have agreed to work together with the ABI on implementing a number of measures which include promoting access to insurance for low-income households.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27866 by Shona Robison on 28 October 2009 and in light of the projected start date of 2011, whether it has considered interim measures to offer screening to all people with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm and whether it will include this group in the full screening programme in 2011.

Shona Robison: Men with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurism will be invited for screening as a matter of routine at age 65. Family members who may be at increased risk because a sibling has been diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurism can be referred by their GP to the vascular service for appropriate follow-up.

Health

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of the national scoliosis service will be completed.

Nicola Sturgeon: The review of the national scoliosis service will be completed in autumn 2010.

Health

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will make a statement to the Parliament following the review of the national scoliosis service.

Nicola Sturgeon: The findings of the review of the national scoliosis service will be published in autumn 2010. A decision about the need for a parliamentary statement will be taken at that time.

Health

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the national scoliosis service are under consultation as part of its review.

Nicola Sturgeon: The review group will explore all aspects of the current scoliosis service.

Higher Education

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Graduates for Business scheme was ended.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it is not expanding the Graduates for Business scheme internationally.

John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise has taken the decision to end the scheme in its current format. This decision was taken on the basis of value for money and follows an independent review of the programme that highlighted concerns about geographic coverage and consistency of the programme.

  We therefore welcome Scottish Enterprise’s plans to have an alternative programme in place by the end of June, that will address these issues and deliver even better value for money.

Higher Education

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions were held with Scottish Enterprise about ending the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government works closely and continuously with Scottish Enterprise and its other key agencies on strategic issues, to ensure that their activities and resources are focused on delivering maximum impact towards sustainable economic growth. However, the Scottish Government is not involved routinely in matters connected to the funding or refocusing of specific interventions, which are matters for the agencies themselves.

Higher Education

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which is the lead agency for the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise is the lead agency for the Graduates for Business Scheme.

Higher Education

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it was informed of the decision to end the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Scottish Government officials were informed on 18 December 2009 of Scottish Enterprise’s plans in connection with its Graduates for Business scheme.

Higher Education

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it costs to run the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise has invested approximately £1.6 million in the programme since 2005.

Higher Education

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the redundancy costs will be for the seven staff of the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: The Graduates for Business scheme is delivered by another employer, Glasgow Opportunities, which was awarded the contract for services by Scottish Enterprise. As the programme is delivered under contract, it is for Glasgow Opportunities to consider its staffing levels or redundancies, or any associated costs.

Higher Education

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the replacement will be for the Graduates for Business scheme.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme will be introduced.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the planned replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme (GFB) will differ from the GFB.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many places the planned replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme will offer.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff the planned replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme will employ.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned operating costs are for the replacement Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise is currently preparing a replacement scheme to be ready by the end of June 2010.

Higher Education

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place between ministers and Scottish Enterprise regarding the decision to withdraw the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Ministers meet regularly with Scottish Enterprise and other key agencies on strategic issues, to ensure that their activities and resources are focused on the matters likely to make the most significant contribution to delivering sustainable economic growth. However, the Scottish Government is not involved routinely in detailed matters connected to the funding or refocusing of specific interventions. These are matters for the agencies themselves to determine, taking account of this overarching purpose and the need to optimise the value derived from their spend.

Higher Education

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3F-2170 by Alex Salmond on 28 January 2010, whether existing staff will continue to deliver the Graduates for Business scheme.

John Swinney: Arrangements for the administration of the alternative programme to the Graduates for Business scheme, which Scottish Enterprise plans to have in place by the end of June, will be a matter for the agency itself.

Income Tax

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to proposing that the Parliament make use of the power to raise income tax by up to 3p in the pound.

John Swinney: Scottish ministers have no plans to invoke the Scottish variable rate to raise income tax in Scotland.

Income Tax

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of what annual revenue would be raised if the power to raise income tax by 3p in the pound were used.

John Swinney: HM Treasury estimates, published in Budget 2009, suggest that a three pence increase in the Scottish variable rate could have raised approximately £1 billion in 2009-10.

Local Government

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have contracted out cleaning and janitorial services to Mitie PFI Ltd.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff have transferred from each local authority to Mitie PFI Ltd.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under staff and service transfer terms, local authorities are expected to formally meet regularly with Mitie PFI Ltd to discuss service provision and, if so, how often such meetings have taken place.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff who have transferred to Mitie PFI Ltd under respective school contracts have experienced an incorrect pension deduction from salary and how much the average shortfall is.

John Swinney: This information is not held centrally. Information of this sort is a matter for local authorities as independent corporate bodies.

Renewable Energy

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what buildings occupied by it and its agencies have been fitted with (a) solar panels, (b) wind generators and (c) other renewable power sources since May 2007.

John Swinney: As part of a current refurbishment project at Saughton House, Edinburgh, solar panels are being installed to meet some of the hot water needs of the building. This project is due to be completed in June 2010.

  At the new Fish Veterinary and Aquaria facility currently under construction in Aberdeen photo-voltaics will be fitted to meet some of the electricity supply needs of the building. The building is due for completion in August 2010.

Schools

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30183 by Michael Russell on 14 January 2010, whether this answer indicates that interested parties are precluded from seeking its intervention in cases where they consider that a local authority consultation in relation to a proposed school closure is flawed, inaccurate and misleading and, if so, what recourse such parties have.

Michael Russell: As specified in the answer to question S3W-30183 on 14 January 2010, under current regulations Scottish ministers’ involvement in local authority consultations on school closures is restricted exclusively to prescribed occupancy and distance criteria. Ministers do not have a locus to intervene otherwise, even if someone makes representations to them that they believe the authority’s consultation to be flawed, inaccurate and misleading.

  In such circumstances parties could make a formal complaint under the council’s complaints procedure or, if after following such action they remain dissatisfied, refer the matter to the Public Service Ombudsman. Ultimately, the complainant could pursue legal action if they consider that the local authority has not properly fulfilled its statutory responsibilities under the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981.

  Once the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 is commenced on 5 April 2010 the system for referring certain local authority decisions to ministers for consent will be replaced by a ministerial power to call in school closure decisions. In the case of someone believing the authority’s consultation to be flawed, inaccurate and misleading they will be able to make representations to ministers requesting that the decision is called in.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2009

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the transitional arrangements are regulating local authority consultation on the proposed closure of schools between the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill being passed by the Scottish Parliament and the Act coming into force.

Michael Russell: Schedule 3 of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 sets out transitional arrangements for handling consultations underway at the point of commencement of the act on 5 April 2010.

  Consultations on proposed school closures that commence before 5 April 2010 should be conducted under the new process set out in the act unless a decision is taken by the council before commencement.

  Should a decision be taken before commencement then it would still be liable to referral to Scottish Ministers for consent if it meets the criteria (as set out in the answer to the question S3W-30183 on 14 January 2010).

  Should a decision be taken after commencement the consultation would be required to meet the requirements as set out in the Schools (Consultation) Act 2010.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2009

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its powers to call in a school closure decision under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2009 can be used prior to the act coming into force in cases where a local authority is conducting a consultation based on the act’s principles.

Michael Russell: No. Scottish Ministers will only have the power to call in a local authority school closure decision after the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 has commenced on 5 April 2010, regardless of whether or not the authority has chosen to consult using the new process set out in the act. If a closure decision is taken prior to the act’s commencement then it will be liable to referral to Scottish Ministers for consent if it meets the criteria (as set out in the answer to the question  S3W-30183 on 14 January 2010).

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Scottish Futures Trust

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27581 by John Swinney on 30 September 2009, what the duration is of each contract awarded to the six consultants hired by the Scottish Futures Trust.

John Swinney: I have asked Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust to respond. His response is as follows:

  This information has been provided in the following table.

  

 Consultant
 Contract Award Date
 Duration


 Hays Executive Recruitment
 May 2009
 Contract ended in December 2009 on conclusion of work


 Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
 March 2009
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year


 Mott MacDonald
 May 2009
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year


 Pinsent Masons
 November 2008
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year (now in that second year)


 Partnerships UK
 Call offs from framework contract
 No ongoing commitments under this contract


 Shepherd and Wedderburn
 June 2009
 No ongoing commitments under this contract

Scottish Government Expenditure

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what efficiency savings were made in each of its directorates in 2008-09; by what means, and in what areas other than procurement.

John Swinney: Efficiency savings are not reported on a directorate basis. The 2008-09 Outturn Report, which is available on the Scottish Government website shows savings made by individual projects, grouped by director general. This is in line with the reporting arrangements of the previous administration, which collated savings by head of department.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/Outturn2008-09.

  Table 3 of the Outturn Report highlights savings reported against the key workstreams of asset management, procurement and shared services. In addition, each Efficiency Delivery Plan describes, at section 7, the actions that will generate the expected savings. The latest version of the Efficiency Delivery Plan document is available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/EDPNovember2009.

Scottish Government Staff

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it and its agencies have spent on recruitment advertising since May 2007, broken down by (a) directorate or agency and (b) position advertised.

John Swinney: The following table shows spend with our recruitment advertising supplier, TMP, on recruitment advertising media for civil service recruitment and public appointments. Agencies may have used other recruitment advertising suppliers but that spend is not available centrally. The information on recruitment advertising spend by position advertised could only be calculated at disproportionate cost and therefore is not provided.

  Scottish Government Core (by Directorate General)

  

 
2007-08 
(May to March)
 2008-09
2009-10 
(April to December)


 Economy
 Note 1
 76,986
 32,201


 Education
 Note 1
 83,083
 52,583


 Environment
 Note 1
 86,813
 80,270


 Health
 Note 1
 153,015
 93,991


 Justice and Communities
 Note 1
 131,233
 56,420


 Finance and Corporate Services
 Note 1
 130,877
 28,815


 Permanent Secretary
 Note 1
 34,793
 14,632


 Central and other spend
 Note 1
 108,133
 5,020


 Total for Scottish Government Core
 930,041
 804,933
 363,932


 Scottish Government Main Agencies
 
 
 


 Scottish Public Pensions Agency
 1,243
 28,751
 2,179


 Student Awards Agency for Scotland
 3,050
 9,803
 4,399


 HM Inspectorate of Education
 Note 2
 19,865
 17,311


 Accountant in Bankruptcy
 No spend recorded
 2,882
 7,476


 Social Work Inspection Agency
 Note 2
 865
 0


 Transport Scotland
 57,097
 227,622
 110,861


 Scottish Housing Regulator
 Note 5
 40,051
 0


 Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland 
 10,921
 2,467
 Note 3


 Communities Scotland
 3,834
 Note 3
 Note 3


 Total for Scottish Government Agencies
 76,145
 332,306
 142,226


 Grand Total
 1,006,186
 1,137,239
 506,158



  Notes:

  1. Due to the way information is collected it is not possible to split the Scottish Government Core information by directorate for all years or by directorate general (DG) for 2007-08.

  2. In 2007-08, recruitment advertising orders for some agencies were placed through the Scottish Government core and the spend is included in the core figure.

  3. As a result of the simplification exercise Mental Health Tribunal and parts of Communities Scotland integrated into the Scottish Government core during this period after which any recruitment spend will be included in the relevant DG area. Some Mental Health Tribunal recruitment spend is reported against Scottish Government Health DG during 2008-09.

  4. Information is provided for the Scottish Government Core and those Agencies for which information is collected centrally by Scottish Government HR, excluding non-ministerial departments, and against which spend is recorded. All spend is ex VAT and as invoiced direct by TMP during the appropriate period.

  5. Scottish Housing Regulator did not exist until April 2008.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of its employees earn less than £18,000 per annum.

John Swinney: As at 31 December 2009, there were 1,106 members of staff in the Scottish Government core departments with full-time equivalent salaries of less than £18,000 per annum. This represents 20% of all staff in the core departments.

Sport

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the financial and environmental implications of local authorities installing artificial instead of grass playing surfaces.

Shona Robison: It is for individual local authorities to consider the financial, environmental and any other relevant implications of developing facilities including artificial playing surfaces. A wide range of practical and technical advice is available to local authorities from sportscotland on the planning and development of facilities.